Highest Paying Trades in Portland
2025 salary data · COL Index: 130
50
Trades Tracked
$66,807
Avg Median Salary
130
COL Index
57
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Portland
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $129,318 | $82,981 – $192,304 | B | 4,514 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $120,509 | $77,755 – $177,712 | A | 7,939 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $99,431 | $60,759 – $153,078 | A | 7,401 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $92,025 | $55,899 – $138,338 | C | 4,952 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $88,877 | $56,927 – $128,425 | B | 8,016 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $75,891 | $45,408 – $107,483 | B | 5,682 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $75,463 | $48,132 – $110,059 | C | 4,619 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $75,441 | $48,211 – $106,462 | C | 3,971 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $75,391 | $45,182 – $115,773 | C | 3,467 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $74,928 | $44,378 – $106,844 | C | 5,624 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $74,481 | $44,761 – $107,882 | B | 6,356 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $74,217 | $47,517 – $115,183 | C | 3,226 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $73,657 | $45,800 – $108,535 | C | 5,885 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $73,251 | $44,686 – $109,681 | B | 6,868 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $71,967 | $45,456 – $111,701 | C | 4,447 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $70,956 | $44,525 – $109,560 | A | 7,462 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $70,567 | $42,483 – $102,065 | C | 4,435 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $69,066 | $44,776 – $100,475 | D | 3,150 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $68,854 | $42,810 – $106,597 | C | 4,463 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $67,774 | $43,621 – $104,061 | C | 5,088 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $66,362 | $41,530 – $98,842 | D | 2,970 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $65,882 | $39,643 – $101,212 | B | 5,704 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $65,700 | $41,755 – $99,518 | C | 6,315 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $64,657 | $38,842 – $92,935 | D | 4,625 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $63,676 | $40,831 – $96,901 | C | 3,731 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $63,231 | $37,673 – $95,572 | C | 4,720 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $61,078 | $38,224 – $94,557 | C | 5,406 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $61,027 | $37,796 – $90,612 | C | 7,280 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $60,373 | $36,314 – $88,427 | D | 4,723 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $60,018 | $37,469 – $85,689 | D | 3,144 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $59,332 | $35,981 – $89,372 | D | 2,940 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $58,702 | $35,773 – $86,896 | D | 4,139 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $58,301 | $34,489 – $83,762 | D | 3,494 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $58,172 | $35,137 – $86,824 | D | 2,021 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $57,987 | $34,819 – $81,886 | D | 3,502 |
| Glazier | Construction | $57,653 | $34,532 – $83,462 | D | 4,201 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $56,891 | $34,298 – $81,492 | D | 6,064 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $56,810 | $35,752 – $86,091 | D | 3,341 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $56,562 | $35,522 – $80,951 | D | 3,887 |
| Roofer | Construction | $56,223 | $34,058 – $84,571 | D | 2,821 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $55,921 | $33,956 – $81,358 | D | 4,100 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $55,731 | $35,238 – $81,427 | D | 4,159 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $53,227 | $32,796 – $75,517 | B | 7,034 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $51,893 | $32,064 – $78,622 | F | 1,896 |
| Welder | Welding | $51,629 | $30,831 – $77,140 | D | 5,976 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $50,370 | $32,103 – $73,954 | D | 4,482 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $48,964 | $30,489 – $71,394 | F | 2,577 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $48,434 | $28,766 – $71,503 | F | 3,236 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $48,427 | $31,365 – $70,483 | F | 2,727 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $45,044 | $27,740 – $63,711 | F | 4,070 |
About Trade Pay in Portland
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 130, which is 30% above the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be higher to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in Portland is Construction Manager with a median salary of $129,318. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $66,807. Despite higher living costs, strong union presence and infrastructure demand keep trade wages competitive.
Compare Portland against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.